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High Frequency Ultrasound for the Analysis of Fetal and Placental Development In Vivo
06:43

High Frequency Ultrasound for the Analysis of Fetal and Placental Development In Vivo

Published on: November 8, 2018

Different policies on prenatal ultrasound screening programmes and induced abortions explain regional variations in

E Garne1, A Berghold, Z Johnson

  • 1University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. EGarne@dadlnet.dk

Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
|April 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Induced abortions (IA) and prenatal screening impact infant mortality from congenital malformations. Policies significantly affect outcomes, with screening altering the timing of death rather than overall mortality rates.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal epidemiology
  • Public health policy
  • Medical genetics

Background:

  • Congenital malformations contribute significantly to infant mortality.
  • Regional variations in induced abortion (IA) policies and prenatal screening exist across Europe.
  • Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the impact of induced abortions (IA) on infant mortality with congenital malformations.
  • To analyze regional differences in IA policies and prenatal ultrasound screening.
  • To assess the effect of these policies on mortality rates in four European regions.

Main Methods:

  • Registry-based data collection on congenital malformations.
  • Inclusion of data from Ireland (Dublin), Denmark (Funen County), Austria (Styria), and France (Strasbourg).
  • Statistical analysis of IA, fetal deaths, and infant deaths with congenital malformations.

Main Results:

  • Infant deaths with malformations ranged from 23% to 44% of all infant deaths.
  • Dublin, with no IA and no screening, had the highest proportion of infant deaths with malformations.
  • Significant regional differences were observed in IA, fetal deaths, and infant deaths (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal ultrasound screening has a minor impact on total mortality from the second trimester to one year of age.
  • Screening appears to alter the timing of death for infants with congenital malformations.
  • These timing shifts have implications for parental bereavement and community support.
Abstract

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